Larry Poons: Recent Paintings

Renowned New York abstract artist Larry Poons personally selected the large-scale paintings in the new show at the College of Saint Rose’s Esther Massry Gallery.

As critic Phyllis Tuchman argues in the accompanying exhibit essay, Poons’ “latest paintings are bursting with energy. . . . There’s just so much to relish.”

Pictured is 20-20 And Blue (2008).

Larry Poons: Recent Paintings opens tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 5) at the Esther Massry Gallery (Massry Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose, 1002 Madison Ave., Albany) and runs through March 21. There is also a gallery reception tomorrow from 5 to 7 PM, and an artist’s lecture at 7 PM in the nearby Saint Joseph Auditorium (985 Madison Ave., Albany). For more info, call 454-5102.

Syracuse Symphony String Quartet

We have watched with interest as Cohoes, the scrappy little city at the end of I-787, has undergone a revival. There are more signs of “green shoots” this weekend, as the Syracuse Symphony String Quartet will perform a program of Mozart and J.S. Bach at the Boght Arts Center.

You know what else is interesting about this show? The fact that the performers are from west of the Capital Region. We hardly ever—well, actually, never—get a chance to see the fine musicians from the Rochester or Buffalo philharmonic orchestras, or the Syracuse Symphony. So why not experience something out of the blue, on a Sunday afternoon in Cohoes?

The Syracuse Symphony String Quartet will perform Sunday (Jan. 31) at 4 PM at the Boght Arts Center (583 Boght Road, Cohoes). Tickets are $20. For reservations and information, please call 785-ARTS.

Anti-Flag

It’s been a good long time since (say, the dawn of Green Day) punk rock was considered synonymous with political anarchism and real anti-establishment rhetoric. Steeped in the political angst of the late ’80s, and known to play full sets of Clash covers, Justin Sane, Pat Thetic, and the rest of Anti-Flag (pictured) have kept their fists and mohawks in the air.

Supporters of PETA, Amnesty International and Greenpeace, the band have long been vocal opponants of racism, sexism, capitalism, and pretty much everything the Bush administration tried to pull on us. Having finished up their “War Sucks, Let’s Party” tour, this trip through the region is part of “The Economy Sucks, Let’s Party” tour. It’s a cause like-minded opening acts Aiden, Cancer Bats, and Star Fucking Hipsters have thrown their noise behind.

Anti-Flag come to Northern Lights (1208 Route 146, Clifton Park) on Monday (Feb. 1), with doors at 6 PM. Tickets are $17. Call 371-0012 for more info.